Nilos Rings

What is a Nilos ring?

A Nilos ring is a thin, precision-pressed steel sealing ring that fits alongside a rolling bearing to protect it from dirt, dust, water, and other contamination, while helping to keep lubricant inside. It is clamped against one of the bearing’s rings, either the inner ring or the outer ring, and has a fine sealing lip that runs lightly against the side face of the other ring. This creates a narrow, protective barrier at the bearing’s most vulnerable point, without the need for extra housing space or complicated sealing arrangements.

Nilos rings are made to match specific bearing references. For example, a 6005AV Nilos ring is designed for 6005 series bearings, while a 32006XAV Nilos ring is designed for 32006X tapered roller bearings. Each ring is usually described by its type and the bearing it suits, along with its dimensions, given as inside diameter × outside diameter × width, such as 25 × 43.7 × 2.5 mm.

A typical Nilos ring has:

• Clamping section - the flat part of the ring that is clamped against either the inner or outer bearing ring
• Sealing lip - a fine, angled lip that runs against the side face of the opposite bearing ring
• Pressed steel body - a thin, strong, precision-pressed steel ring that keeps its shape under load

Key features:

• Protects bearings - keeps out dirt, dust, sand, water, and other contaminants
• Retains lubricant - helps keep grease inside the bearing for longer
• Compact design - fits directly against the bearing, using very little extra space
• Matched to bearings - each ring is designed for a specific bearing size and type
• Extra protection for sealed bearings - can be used alongside shielded or sealed bearings for even better protection
• Long service life - the sealing lip runs in quickly and then wears very little
• Simple fitting - clamped in place by the existing shaft and housing components

In simple terms, a Nilos ring is a thin steel sealing ring that fits next to a bearing to keep dirt out and grease in.

Why are Nilos rings essential?

Nilos rings are essential because contamination is one of the most common causes of bearing failure. Dirt, sand, dust, and water can quickly get into a bearing, damaging the raceways and rolling elements, breaking down the grease, and causing wear, noise, corrosion, and early failure. In harsh environments, standard bearing shields and seals may not give enough protection on their own. Nilos rings add an extra, close-fitting barrier that greatly improves the bearing’s resistance to contamination.

Their main benefits are:

• Longer bearing life - keeping contamination out reduces wear and damage
• Reduced maintenance - bearings stay cleaner and need lubricating less often
• Better grease retention - lubricant stays in the bearing where it is needed
• Space saving - gives effective sealing without the need for larger housings or extra seals
• Lower costs - fewer bearing failures mean less downtime and fewer replacements
• Protection in harsh conditions - ideal for dusty, wet, and dirty environments
• Upgrades existing designs - can often be added to existing bearing arrangements to improve sealing

Nilos rings are used across a wide range of industries and applications, including:

• Agricultural machinery - tractors, implements, harvesters, and tillage equipment working in dust, mud, and crop debris
• Construction and quarrying machinery - equipment exposed to dirt, sand, grit, and water
• Conveyors - rollers, pulleys, and drives in dusty material handling environments
• Gearboxes and drives - helping to retain lubricant and keep out contamination
• Pumps and electric motors - protecting bearings from dust and moisture
• Automotive and commercial vehicles - wheel hubs, drivelines, and auxiliary components
• Food and processing equipment - where washdown and contamination are a concern
• Industrial machinery - general bearing protection in demanding environments

The main types of Nilos rings

Nilos rings are usually grouped by which bearing ring they clamp to and the type of bearing they suit.

By clamping position:

• AV type - clamped against the bearing’s outer ring, with the sealing lip running against the side face of the inner ring. Commonly used where the inner ring rotates and the outer ring is fixed in the housing
• JV type - clamped against the bearing’s inner ring, with the sealing lip running against the side face of the outer ring. Commonly used where the outer ring rotates, or where the ring needs to rotate with the shaft

By bearing type:

• Rings for deep groove ball bearings - designed to suit common bearing series, such as 60, 62, and 63 series bearings
• Rings for shielded bearings - identified by a Z in the reference, such as ZAV or ZJV. They are designed to fit bearings that already have a shield, such as 6203Z bearings, giving extra protection
• Rings for tapered roller bearings - identified by an X in the reference, such as XAV or XJV, designed to suit tapered roller bearings such as 32006X
• Rings for other bearing types - available for other bearing designs, such as angular contact and cylindrical roller bearings

By material:

• Steel Nilos rings - the standard material, offering strength and accurate sealing
• Stainless steel Nilos rings - for wet, corrosive, and washdown environments

How to choose the right Nilos ring?

Choosing the right Nilos ring means matching it to the bearing, the way the bearing rotates, and the space available. Work through these points in order:

• Bearing reference - choose a Nilos ring designed for the exact bearing you are using, such as a 6005 or 32006X bearing
• Bearing type - check whether the bearing is open, shielded, or a tapered roller bearing, and choose the matching ring type, such as AV, ZAV, or XAV
• Clamping position - choose an AV ring to clamp against the outer ring, or a JV ring to clamp against the inner ring, depending on which ring rotates and how the bearing is mounted
• Rotating ring - consider which bearing ring rotates, as this affects which ring type gives the best sealing
• Available space - check there is enough space in the housing or on the shaft for the ring’s width and clamping
• Clamping arrangement - make sure the ring can be clamped firmly by a shaft shoulder, housing shoulder, spacer, lock nut, or cover
• Speed - check that the application speed suits the ring, as the sealing lip runs in contact with the bearing
• Environment - choose stainless steel rings for wet or corrosive conditions
• Sealing level needed - for very harsh environments, consider using Nilos rings on both sides of the bearing, or alongside other seals
• Quality and brand - choose rings from reputable suppliers for accurate dimensions and reliable sealing

How to fit a Nilos ring

Fitting a Nilos ring correctly is important for good sealing:

• Check the ring and bearing - make sure the ring matches the bearing and is clean and undamaged
• Position the ring - place the ring against the correct bearing ring, with the sealing lip facing the bearing
• Add grease - apply a little grease to the sealing lip and fill the space between the ring and bearing to help the lip run in and improve sealing
• Clamp the ring firmly - make sure the clamping section is held securely by a shoulder, spacer, lock nut, or cover so the ring cannot turn
• Check the lip contact - the sealing lip should rest lightly against the side face of the opposite bearing ring
• Run in - when first running, the lip beds in against the bearing face, after which it wears very little

FAQ - All you need to know about Nilos rings

What is a Nilos ring used for?

A Nilos ring is a steel sealing ring fitted alongside a bearing to keep out dirt, dust, and water, and to help retain grease inside the bearing.

What does AV mean on a Nilos ring?

AV rings are clamped against the bearing’s outer ring, with the sealing lip running against the inner ring.

What does JV mean on a Nilos ring?

JV rings are clamped against the bearing’s inner ring, with the sealing lip running against the outer ring.

What does the Z in ZAV or ZJV mean?

Rings with a Z in the reference are designed for bearings that already have a shield, such as 6203Z bearings. They fit correctly against the shielded bearing and add extra protection.

What does the X in XAV mean?

Rings with an X in the reference are designed for tapered roller bearings, such as 32006X bearings.

What do the dimensions on a Nilos ring mean?

The dimensions are usually given as inside diameter × outside diameter × width. For example, 25 × 43.7 × 2.5 mm suits a bearing with a 25 mm bore.

Can Nilos rings be used with sealed bearings?

Yes. Nilos rings designed for shielded bearings can be added for extra protection in dirty or wet environments.

Should I grease a Nilos ring?

Yes. Applying grease to the sealing lip and the space between the ring and the bearing helps the lip run in smoothly and improves sealing.

Why is my Nilos ring making a noise?

A light noise is normal during the first running-in period as the sealing lip beds in. If noise continues, check that the ring is the correct type, clamped firmly, correctly positioned, and lubricated.

Can I use a Nilos ring on both sides of a bearing?

Yes. Fitting rings on both sides gives protection from both directions, which is useful in very dusty, dirty, or wet environments.

Can Nilos rings be reused?

They can sometimes be reused if they are undamaged, but because the sealing lip beds in to the bearing it was run with, it is usually best to fit a new ring when replacing the bearing.